WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Ratings, and Highlights From Jan. 17
With WrestleMania 41 season just around the corner, WWE SmackDown went to Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA. The show kicked off with a totally new style as the commentators Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett made their way to the ringside from backstage talking about the history of Pechanga Arena and the match card for the show.
The show then showcased the arrival of Tiffany Stratton, Bayley, Jimmy Uso, and Carmelo Hayes ahead of their match on the WWE SmackDown.
Announced in advance of Friday’s show:
- Solo Sikoa returns to SmackDown
- Motor City Machine Guns vs. Los Garzas
- Nia Jax and Candice LeRae vs. Bianca Belair and Naomi
- Bayley vs. Tiffany Stratton
Rey Mysterio kicks off WWE SmackDown
San Diego’s own Rey Mysterio walked down to the ring to kick off the show in front of his people and family. Rey Mysterio then officially declared his participation in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble. Mysterio then talked about all the talents that have declared their participation in the match saying that the competition will certainly be tough this year.
Kevin Owens then made his way out, telling Mysterio that there is no one in this business that he respects more than him. He then talked about having a singles match with a legend like him. Owens then said that if Mysterio is able to win the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match, he would challenge him. To which he agreed saying that if he is able to win his match against Cody Rhodes.
The two then started fighting but Owens escaped the ring before Mysterio could hit him with the 619.
Ratings: 8 /10
Did you know:
- Rey Mysterio won his last Royal Rumble in 2006 when he entered at number 2 and outlasted 1h 02m 12s in the match.
A backstage segment featuring Bianca Belair and Naomi
WWE SmackDown then went backstage where Naomi told Bianca Belair that there is still no update on who attacked Jade Cargill. The duo then talked about their No.1 Contenders Fatal 4-Way match from last week, saying that they still have their tag team championships.
A backstage segment featuring Nick Aldis, Cody Rhodes, and Rey Mysterio on WWE SmackDown
WWE SmackDown then went outside the trainer’s room where GM Nick Aldis gave Mysterio a one-on-one match against Owens later on the show. At that very moment, Rhodes walked into the scene as he came out of the trainer’s room. Nick Aldis asked Rhodes to sign an addendum for Royal Rumble but denied saying Owens has to sign it first.
Naomi and Bianca Belair battle Nia Jax and Candice LeRae in a tag team match
After losing the No.1 Contender match for the WWE Women’s Championship last week, the remaining three participants collide in a tag team match as Nia Jax teamed with Candice LeRae to face the duo of Naomi and Bianca Belair.
The team of Naomi and Belair could clearly be seen suffering at the hands of Jax and LeRae who were nearly a step ahead of them. Belair finally got the match in control as she speared Jax in the middle of the ring, and did not see the sneaky tag by LeRae. LeRae then went for a cover on Belair after an assist from Jax, but she kicked out before three.
The crowd seemed to be somewhat interested in the match as “This is awesome” chants were going on.
Jax accidentally hit LeRae with a leg drop in the mix after Belair moved out of harm’s way. Naomi then pinned LeRae to win the match.
Result: Naomi and Bianca Belair def Nia Jax and Candice LeRae in a non-title match
Ratings: 7 /10
Did you know:
- Wade Barrett at the commentary desk mentioned the tag team chemistry of Naomi and Belair saying that they just developed this team after Jade Cargill got injured.
Interview segment featuring Bayley
WWE SmackDown then featured an interview segment from earlier on the show where Byron Saxton talked to Bayley about her WWE Women’s Championship from later on the show. Bayley stated her history with Tiffany Stratton stating how she lost her championship at 2024 SummerSlam after an interface by her.
A backstage segment featuring Michin, B-Fab, Piper Niven, and Chelsea Green
WWE SmackDown then went backstage where B-Fab challenged Piper Niven to a match later on the show.
Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes on WWE SmackDown
Jimmy Uso then appeared on WWE SmackDown making his way to the ringside for his match against the arrogant and talented Carmelo Hayes. The match began as Jimmy tossed Hayes into the ring as he was making his way to the ringside. Both delivered some pretty good offense to each other as the match went on. The crowd also seemed to be in the match as the claps were going on throughout the arena.
Jimmy went for the Uso splash looking to end the match but Hayes countred with First 48 for a cover but Jimmy kicked out.
The crowd chanted “This is awesome.” as the match progressed.
Jimmy then hit Hayes with a picture-perfect Superkick but he kicked out. Jimmy then found a way to his Hayes with a spear following up with a Uso splash. But he got interrupted by Jacob Fatu who appeared on the other end of the ring. Tama Tonga then pushed Jimmy from the top turnbuckle, causing the match to end via DQ as they continued to attack both Jimmy Uso and Carmelo Hayes.
Result: Jimmy Uso won via DQ
Ratings: 7 /10
Solo Sikoa returns to WWE SmackDown
Solo Sikoa then appeared on WWE SmackDown, making his first appearance on WWE TV since he lost the tribal combat against the OTC Roman Reigns at WWE Raw debut on Netflix. Sikoa stood in the middle of the ring, but from within the crowd a moment later without saying a word on the microphone in his hands.
This raises all sorts of questions about what is next for him and his Bloodline.
Jacob Fatu then took the mic in his hands inside the ring before LA Knight appeared from behind as he attacked both Fatu and Tonga after they attacked him last week during his WWE United States Championship match against Shinsuke Nakamura. Braun Strowman then arrived on the scene as Fatu and Tonga took out Knight with their numbers game. Strowman then took the fight to Tonga outside the ring as he stared down Fatu inside the ring.
Tama Tonga then dragged Fatu from the ring before the two men could go at each other.
A backstage segment featuring Legado Del Fantasma
WWE SmackDown then went backstage where Santos Escobar appreciated Angel and Berto for exposing the Pretty Deadly last week as they defeated them in a tag team match.
Los Garzas battles Motor City Machine Guns in a Tag Team match
So there were two tag team matches held last week where Los Garzas defeated Pretty Deadly in the first of two matches and MCMG defeated A-Town Down Under in the 2nd match. Which now led to this match between both teams. A victory tonight for any of these two teams would put them right in the WWE Tag Team Championship picture.
Motor City Machine Guns seemed to be in a lot of trouble during the early moments of the match as Los Garzas cornered Chris Sabin. Sabin finally found a way to tag Alex Shelley — who then took the fight to Los Garzas. Sabin and Shelley then took the fight to Berto — who had no clue about what was going on. Shelley and Sabin then locked Los Garzas into a double figure-four leg lock in the middle of the ring.
Los Garzas then took out MCMG with a double-team offense in the middle of the ring, but Shelley kicked out before the count of three on the cover by Angel.
Sabin then took out both Angel and Berto as he delivered a suicide dive on them on the outside. MCMG then looked to end the match before Pretty Deadly distracted the referee and attacked MCMG, allowing Los Garzas to take advantage but Motor City Machine Guns were a step ahead of them. Sabin and Shelley brought Berto inside the ring, allowing Sabin to pick up the win for his team as Shelley stopped Angel in his tracks before he could break the count.
Result: Motor City Machine Guns def Los Garzas
Ratings: 7 /10
Did you know:
- Motor City Machine Guns were the former WWE Tag Team Champions before they lost the championships to the current champions DIY at the Dec 6th edition of WWE SmackDown.
A backstage segment featuring GM Nick Aldis and Kevin Owens
WWE SmackDown then went backstage where GM Nick Aldis asked Kevin Owens to sign the addendum. Owens denied saying that Rhodes has not signed it yet and he will read the contract first.
Piper Niven vs. B-fab
After the challenge got laid out last week, both Piper Niven and B-fab met in the middle of the ring for a singles match. Niven made short of B-fab as she picked up the win after a distraction by Chelsea Green on the ringside.
Michin then arrived on the scene with a kendo stick as she took out Piper Niven and saved B-fab.
Result: Piper Niven def B-fab
Ratings: 5 /10
Backstage segment featuring Tiffany Stratton
WWE SmackDown then went backstage where Tiffany Stratton talked about her Championship match against Bayley with Byron Saxton. Stratton laid out her prediction saying that she will retain tonight.
Rey Mysterio vs. Kevin Owens
After getting into a fight scene earlier on the show, Rey Mysterio and Kevin Owens collided in a singles match. Owens came explosive in the match, as he sent Mysterio outside the ring with a single shoulder tackle. Kevin Owens was clearly the man with more physical power in the match but the Legendary Rey Mysterio kept on fighting back.
The match continued as the crowd chanted “Rey Mysterio”.
Owens found a way to hit Mysterio with a stunner, but he was able to kick out. He then went for a Swanton Bomb but Mysterio got the knees up in time and hit Owens with a 619.
Owens then used underhanded tactics and won the match.
Owens then attacked Mysterio after the match and tried to deliver a Package piledriver on him before Cody Rhodes arrived to save the day for the Lucha Legend. Rhodes then took the fight to Owens as referees and security guys tried to separate them.
Result: Kevin Owens def Rey Mysterio
Ratings: 7 /10
Did you know:
- Kevin Owens came for the match wearing a Rey Mysterio Hall of Fame shirt.
- Joe Tessitore on commentary mentioned that this is the first when Rey Mysterio and Kevin Owens are colliding in a singles match.
A backstage segment featuring Nick Aldis and Cody Rhodes
WWE SmackDown then went backstage where Nick Aldis told Cody Rhodes that on WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event both Rhodes and Ownes would sign on that addendum and also relinquish their championship to be hung above the ring for their ladder match at 2024 WWE Royal Rumble.
Nick Aldis then said that the contract signing will be moderated by the WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.
Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore on the commentary announced a new match between Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu made official for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.
DIY met Pretty Deadly backstage on WWE SmackDown
Tommaso Ciampa called Pretty Deadly a joke after what they did earlier on the show which allowed Motor City Machine Guns to defeat Los Garzas. Apollo Crews then appeared on the scene and got attacked by Johnny Gargano.
“The Queen” Charlotte Flair is coming back to WWE.
WWE SmackDown then aired a cinematic video featuring Charlotte Flair, who is set to return to WWE soon.
Tiffany Stratton defends her WWE Women’s Championship against Bayley
After winning the WWE Women’s Championship by cashing in her Money in the Bank contract on Nia Jax at the Jan. 3rd edition of WWE SmackDown. Tiffany Stratton was set to defend her Championship against Bayley who won a Fatal 4-Way match to become the No.1 Contender for the WWE Women’s Championship last week here on WWE SmackDown.
The veteran Bayley took the fight to Stratton, who kept on responding with some of her own. Bayley got the match in control after she hit Stratton with a Bayley to belly outside the ring. It didn’t last too long against the new champion, who got the match back in control as she targeted the left arm of the challenger.
Roxanne Perez was also present in the WWE Universe, she had a slight staredown with Bayley during the match but nothing else besides that.
Both women went for a back-and-forth action during the ending moments of the match but it was Stratton who picked up the win after delivering a Cartwheel Alabama Slam, following up with the Every Prettiest Moonsault Ever to win the match.
Result: Tiffany Stratton defeated Bayley to retain her WWE Women’s Championship
Ratings: 7 /10
WWE SmackDown, Jan 17: Results Highlights
Non-title Tag Team match:
Naomi and Bianca Belair def Nia Jax and Candice LeRae
Singles Match:
Jimmy Uso def Carmelo Hayes via DQ
Tag Team Match:
Motor City Machine Guns def Los Garzas
Singles Match:
Piper Niven def B-fab
Singles Match:
Kevin Owens def Rey Mysterio
WWE Women’s Championship:
Tiffany Stratton defeated Bayley to retain her WWE Women’s Championship
My thoughts on this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown
WWE utilized this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown to add more layers to the ongoing storylines throughout the blue brand. The show kicked off with a pretty good tag team match where the champions Naomi and Bianca Belair defeated Nia Jax and Candice LeRae in a non-title match. After losing the Womens Championship a few weeks ago, Jax is already thrown into the tag team division. I think it is just a matter of time before she gets back into the championship picture if she decides to her rematch clause.
The show also added more layers to the Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes rivalry, as they both now going to be in the same ring with the HBK Shawn Michaels at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Owens also tried to deliver a Package piledriver to Rey Mysterio after their match, but Rhodes arrived to save the day.
Motor City Machine Guns are once again crawling back into the Tag Team Championship picture as they defeated A-Town Down Under last week and now Los Garzas on this week’s edition of WWE Smackdown.
I think the show was pretty good, WWE is trying to keep things a little in control by the end of this month before they rock the entire foundation of the company at the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble.
My Ratings for the show: 6 /10
